Small Animal General
Intra Mural Rotation
Aims
The two week Small Animal General rotation is based primarily at the Beaumont
Animals’ Hospital in on Royal College Street in Camden Town, immediately next door
to the Hobday building. Students will spend time in a number of key areas in the
hospital to enable them to practise “day one skills” (as defined by the RCVS) in a small
animal first opinion environment.
Objectives
To provide hands-on experience of first opinion practice in a quality controlled
environment. A chance to practise your “day one skills”
Teaching and learning methods
Students will work in small groups, and for much of the time will receive one to one
support from our tem of vets and veterinary nurses. Students are also expected to be
able undertake self-directed learning that you will use out in practice. This includes
researching cases by using resources provided – books (library) internet and colleagues.
We do not routinely use seminars or clinical rounds as a method of teaching at the BAH.
If you feel you need extra tuition in certain areas we will try to accommodate these
requests.
Organisation of the course
Please arrive at the Beaumont by 8.30am on the first Monday morning of the rotation.
Following a short induction programme (a copy of the induction document can be found
on Blackboard) and a tour of the facilities lead by the head veterinary nurse, students
will be expected to organise themselves into working groups of 2 or 3 that will stay
together to rotate through different areas of the hospital over the two week programme.
Working groups will be allocated to:
1. Consultation Rooms
2. Wards
3. Theatres
4. DogsTrust re-homing centre in Harefield, Middlesex.
The normal working day is from 8.30 am to 5.00pm, and in addition, two students each
day (normally those that have been on theatre or wards for the day) are assigned to
evening consultations from 5.00pm to 8.00pm.
On Saturdays two students are required to assist at the BAH from 8.30-1.30pm, for
which time off in lieu should be taken during the week.
The DogsTrust day begins at 8.30 and ends at 5.00 pm.
Dress code for the Beaumont Animals’ Hospital and DogsTrust is as for small animal
rotations at QMHA, a smart, professional appearance, clean, pressed lab coat with name
badge, own scrubs (clogs provided). No trainers or denim please.
Most relevant “Day one skills”
 B1.3 How to evaluate evidence
 B1.4 The structure and functions of healthy animals, and all aspects of their
husbandry
 B1.5 The aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of the
common diseases and disorders that occur in the common domestic species in
the UK.
 B1.7 Medicines legislation and guidelines on responsible use of medicines
 B1.8 The principles of disease prevention and the promotion of health and
welfare
The Rotation in Detail
1. Consultation Rooms
Students conduct first opinion consultations by appointment- each lasting 15 minutes in
total, including time to discuss the case with the supervising vet.
Students will great clients and take a clinical history of the case, use logical clinical
problem solving skills to create a problem list, identify the body systems mostly likely to
be affected, and hence to formulate a list of differential diagnoses and possible treatment
plans. Students learn to complete a thorough clinical examination within a time
appropriate for first opinion practice.
The majority of cases are pet dogs and cats, and students will be encouraged to tailor
their approach to other small animal species commonly presented, such that they can
take a relevant clinical history for birds and common exotic species (i.e. tortoise), and be
able to give simple husbandry and health care advice for exotic species and birds.
Most relevant “Day one skills”
 A1.1 Communicate effectively with clients, the lay public, professional
colleagues and responsible authorities; listen effectively and respond
sympathetically to clients and others, using language in a form appropriate to
the audience and the context
 A1.2 Prepare clear case reports and maintain patient records in a form
satisfactory to colleagues and understandable by the public
 C1.1 Obtain an accurate and relevant history of the individual animal and its
environment
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C1.2 Handle and restrain an animal safely and humanely, and instruct others in
performing these techniques
C1.3 Perform a complete clinical examination
C1.4 Attend all species in an emergency and perform basic first aid
(including first aid management of haemorrhage, wounds, breathing difficulties, eye &
ear injuries, unconsciousness, clinical deterioration, burns, tissue damage, internal organ
damage and cardiac arrest. First aid to be applied includes bandaging, cleaning,
immobilising limbs, resuscitation procedures, haemorrhage control.)
C1.5 Assess correctly the nutritional status of an animal and be able to advise the
client on principles of husbandry and feeding
C1.9 Know and apply the RCVS twelve Principles of Certification correctly
C1.10 Access the appropriate sources of data on licensed medicines; prescribe
and dispense medicines correctly and responsibly in 3.
C1.14 Advise on, and administer appropriate treatment
(Commentary: the new veterinary surgeon must always seek professional advice and
support if presented with a case beyond his or her immediate capability – see item A.12)
C1.15 Recognise when euthanasia is necessary and perform it humanely, using
an appropriate method, whilst showing sensitivity to the feelings of owners and
others, and with due regard to the safety of those present; advise on disposal of
the body
C1.19 Advise on, and carry out preventive and prophylactic programmes
appropriate to the species and commensurate with accepted animal health,
welfare and public health standards, seeking advice and assistance where
necessary from professional colleagues
2. Wards
Students assigned to “Wards” will be involved in a number of aspects of the diagnosis
and management of both inpatients and day cases including collecting and analysing
samples for laboratory investigations, setting up and positioning animals for
radiography and ultrasonography, preparing animals for surgery – premed, intravenous catheter placement, and general nursing care.
Most relevant “Day one skills”
 C1.6 Collect, preserve and transport samples, perform standard laboratory tests,
and interpret the results of those generated in-house, as well as those generated
by other laboratories
 C1.7 Use radiographic, ultrasonic, and other technical equipment which can be
used as a diagnostic aid, safely and in accordance with current regulations
3. Theatres
Students will have the opportunity to participate in routine surgical procedures, in
terms of patient preparation, induction, maintenance and recovery from anaesthesia,
surgical assistance, and carrying out neutering procedures (cat castrate, cat spey, bitch
spey, dog castrate) under direct supervision.
For anaesthesia, skills include calculation of premed agents, intravenous catheter
placement, ET tube placement, selection of circuit, using basic monitoring equipment to
perform safe anaesthesia, calculating gas flow rates and fluid therapy.
In preparation for surgery please make sure you can perform to a good standard your
scrubbing up, gloving, gowning, one hand and two handed ties and instrument ties.
Please make sure you know the details of the surgery you are about to perform and your
anatomy- review procedures for routine neutering (at Clinical skills centre or on
Blackboard) as any surgeon would before performing a surgery.
Students will also be able to perform routine dental assessment and treatment.
Students assigned to the DogsTrust will be carrying out supervised neutering in the
morning then checking over dogs in the centre in the afternoon.
Relevant “Day one skills”
 C1.11 Correctly apply principles of sterilisation of surgical equipment
 C1.12 Correctly apply principles of aseptic surgery
 C1.13 Safely perform sedation, general and regional anaesthesia, implement
chemical methods of restraint, and assess and control pain
 C1.20 Minimise the risks of contamination, cross infection and accumulation of
pathogens in the veterinary premises and in the field
Assessment and Feedback
You will be given verbal feedback after each surgery and consultation you perform. At
the end of your rotation all vets will write a report which is forwarded to the marking
coordinator and the Head vet. A marking meeting takes place with as many vets as
possible present on Friday lunchtime, and your marks should be available to view by
Monday evening accompanied by a comment giving you a guide to areas where you did
well and any areas to work on.
If you would like any further clarification of your performance during or after the
rotation the head vet will happily provide you with further feedback verbally or by email.
If, in the rare case, we feel that you are not performing well enough to pass the rotation,
we will discuss ways that you could remedy this at the end of the first week.
We are always happy to receive constructive feedback about the rotation.
Summary
What we expect from you: an enthusiastic and proactive approach. Come prepared for
the surgery you will perform; practise your basic surgical skills at the clinical skills
centre before joining the rotation. Arrive looking neat and professional as you would for
your first job (see dress code on blackboard).
What you should expect from us: support and encouragement during your rotation at
the Beaumont. Honest, constructive, continuous feedback during your rotation.
Relevant “Day one skills”
 A1.3 Work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in the delivery of
services to clients
 A1.4 Be aware of the ethical responsibilities of the veterinary surgeon in relation
to individual patient care and client relations, and also more generally in the
community in relation to their possible impact on the environment and society as
a whole
We hope you enjoy your time on this rotation!
Further Information on DogsTrust, Harefield.
The Beaumont provides the veterinary care for this branch of DogsTrust
(http://www.dogstrust.org.uk).
The day starts at 8.30 am an if you are driving from Potters bar via the M25 most people
leave at about 7.00 am to ensure on time arrival.
Please report to the reception on arrival, and if you are early there is a staff room to use:
if you are late owing to bad traffic please phone if it is safe to do so (i.e. you are not
driving) so we know you are on your way. You will need to take your own scrubs, name
badge and a clean white coat. Clogs are provided.